Daily Thought: If you use the readings for the Mass of Thanksgiving Day in the Gospel you hear the story of the ten lepers once again. We had the same story last week. If you use the Gospel for the day you would hear the story of Jesus looking at the City of Jerusalem and crying. Perhaps both Gospel stories are helpful to us today.
I wonder if Jesus looks at Jerusalem, at Israel, at Gaza, at all of the Middle East today and begins to cry? I wonder if Jesus looks at the United States today and begins to cry? I wonder if Jesus looks at us today and begins to cry? We give him so many opportunities to be disappointed in us these days.
Yet every once in a while we provide a glimmer of hope that things will change. Every once in a while there is someone who recognizes the gift of life and is thankful.
The story of the one returning person who had been cured reminds us that in the midst of the busyness of life we have got to pause and be thankful. Life is not always about "me!" It is about being grateful, being thankful and going to the Source of our Life with that gratitude! Shopping can wait, partying can wait, God, prayer, family and friends are in need of our attention! It is a matter of faith and that can make all the difference. St. Paul in his First Letter to the Thessalonians reminds us that "In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." As we journey through life on this Thanksgiving Day let us be aware of God's many gifts and then think first about who makes these gifts possible not just about ourselves and then be grateful even when it might be difficult.
Daily Prayer: Loving God of all thankfulness, your gifts of love and goodness are infinite, help us to pause this day and every day with gratitude for your kindness, mercy and love. Open our hearts to have concern for every person so that all may share your gifts. Finally help us to always recognize your gifts and return to give thanks! Amen!
Runner's Thought: If you run today run with a mindfulness and a thoughtfulness of gratitude for the gift of running and all the gifts you encounter on a run. If you do not run today be sure to take time to give thanks!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I pray that today will be filled with family, friends, food and thankfulness! Be safe today if you are traveling. Pray for peace. Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
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